Speak Without Accusing

What does it mean to accuse? To accuse is to attack, blame, brand, let have it, complain, allege... If I speak accusingly I am finding fault and placing blame for wrongdoing.

All very negative.

To speak without accusing is to applaud, approve, commend, praise, support...If I speak without accusing then I am cheering on instead of fault finding.

All very positive.

To accuse is something I would perhaps associate with a crime being committed rather than something I might speak out. However when I actually look at what it means to accuse, I have been guilty of it all.

As I sit here I realise that I would like to be someone who speaks without accusing. As every sun brings a new day I can speak love into the lives of the people I meet. I have the opportunity to applaud with my words where before I may have used words to attack. Instead of laying blame at the feet of another, I can choose to praise and support.

There are times when I come to a place where instinct tells me to accuse. I can play conversations in my head where I feel justified to complain and find fault. How about if I play a different conversation and find the strength to speak without accusing? Truly I will find that love becomes a bigger part of who I am, how I act and how I speak.

Today, I want to make the better choice and as I learn to speak without accusing, I hope that love will widen in my heart.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

James Chapter 1 verse 19 (New International Version)